DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam spoke at seminar on Dhaka greening at Jatiya Press Club. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, June 20, 2026 (BSS)- Experts, academics and civil society members today called for turning urban greening programme into a strong social movement to make Dhaka more livable and environmentally sustainable.

They made the call at a seminar titled ‘Greening Movement for Sustainable Development of Dhaka,’ jointly organized by ‘Greenwatch Dhaka’ and ‘Dhakar Shekor’ at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the Jatiya Press Club.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, administrator of the Dhaka South City Corporation and freedom fighter Abdus Salam said, initiatives have been taken to plant trees in all vacant spaces, roadside areas and road dividers across the city.

He urged nursery owners, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to come forward in support of the city’s greening programme.

Salam said protecting and greening Dhaka cannot be achieved by government efforts alone, and stressed the need for active participation of citizens in environmental protection and urban sustainability.

He also announced that the city corporation has designated every Saturday as cleanliness day. In addition, he said 10 individuals will be awarded annually for excellence in urban gardening and rooftop farming.

Agricultural scientist and horticulture expert Dr Md Mehedi Masud, the keynote speaker, said rising temperatures in Dhaka have made rooftop gardening, balcony gardening and vertical greening essential for urban survival.

He said, with proper scientific planning and structured horticulture initiatives, every building in Dhaka can be turned into a source of oxygen and environmental balance.

General Secretary of the National Press Club Ayub Bhuiyan, speaking as special guest, said, the media has always played an important role in raising environmental awareness and can help take the greening movement to every household.

Trustee of ‘Dhakar Shekor’ Haji Motaleb Mashraki underscored the role of social organisations in preserving Dhaka’s heritage, environment and ecological balance.

The seminar was chaired by editor of Greenwatch Dhaka Mostafa Kamal Majumder and moderated by executive editor Rafiqul Islam Azad.